Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-12
THE COMING BASE BALL SEASON.
The Nationals q Eirst.Class Club I'm
Every Respect.

HOW THE LEAGUE MEETING BENEFITED TIE HONE
cLUB-THR COMPOSITION OF THE DIFFERENT
LEAGUE CLUBS ANpTHKIR RELATIVE sTRENGTH-CoA-
AESIs ON PLAYERs-BAsE BALL NOTES., ETC.
The National base ball league is now complete
and ready to begin business. The eight clubs
composing 1t are located In Boston, New York,
fhliaoeph1a, Washington, Pittsburg, Indian
apohs, chicago and Detroit. The meeting OF the
league In New York, which finally disposed Of the
question OF locating the eighth club was very i'm
Portant one Tor Washington, for it was benefited
Dy the result more than any other league city.
me statesmen were strengthened not only by the
assignment TO them OF four splendid players
whitney, Myers, Donnelly and O'Brien--Dut also
by the retention Of Denny and Glasscock in In
dlanapoils Anything that keeps the stronger
club sfrom adding to their strength makes the tall
enderS relatlveiy stronger in the race for the
championship Washington base ball patrons
have reason to feel well satisfied with the looks of
things
uBERALITY OF TIE HOME MANAGEMENT.
They cannot accuse the home management OF
pursuing niggardly or parsimonious policy In
endeavor1ng to build up strong club at the
national capital The fact that the four players
were secured at reasonable ilgure does not gain
say the TACT that President Hewitt went to New
York with pocketful OF money to be spent in
securing the best men possible. He had his eye on
Denny and Glasscock, and he was willing to pay
highest bidder, OF course Washington would have
been outbid by Chicago. Boston and New York. A
event Of its admission, to let Denny 20 to wash
ngton for 600, but the nal action OF the league
put an end TO any such scheme. Hewitt wanted
them. He based his claims for them on the neces-
sity OF strengthening the weak, In the interest Of
all concerned: HIS claims were recognized to q
greater extent than might have been expected, for
he was awarded the four players most desirable
for Washington, with the exception of Glasscock
HIGH-PRIcRp PLAYERS
1t would not have been good policy to permit
bidding on these men. The Kelly purchase would
have been thrown into the shade. Chicago and
Boston were bent on securing Glasscock. Spad-
the sale OF Kelly, Gore and Dairymple, which he
would use In obtaining GlasScock He wouldn't
have been successful. Director Billings OF Boston
was prepared to add $, 600 to that amount as a
starter and there is no telling the result Neither
Boston nor Chicago could have afforded to fail in
securing him had he been for sale. The New York
management was anxious to secure Denny, as
We're others with money back OF them. Strength
ening the strongest at the expense OF the weak
in Taous Suaer naJ meR have
suited The Kelly purchase had evidently only
whetted Bostons appetite. Failing to get Glass
cock President Soden offered President Stearns, OF
Detroit, $4,000 for an unnamed man on his team.
Hardie Richardson was the man wanted, but he
is sim with Detroit. The offer was promptly
declined.
1t does not appear that Washington was sighted
in arranging the schedule OF games. Indianapolis
plays mere Oh DecOrallOn Gay, Out ID view VI lue
fact that that was the team the Washington peo-
pie were anxious 70 nave assigned to Washington
on the Goth OF May, no great Injustice was done
them.
THE WASHINGTON CLUB
will begin the season under the most favorable
auspices. AS now constituted, it bears striking
contrast to what 1t was at the beginning OF last
year. The majority OF the men are ball players
and not untrted amateurs. 1t Is strong In Dat
teries, and instead OF being compelled to pick up
"A M and then helm I'LL the holes
as was the case last year, tt will be enabled TO
make fair comparison Oh number OF players at
cumstances, 1t is impossible for any one, even
Manager Gaffney, to say what the team viii be.
There are several unknown quantities On the rolls
who may prove OF great value There Will have
TO be some cutting down In batteries. In the
nrSt place, Whitney, Shaw Gilmore, O'Day, kelt-
ing and keere are not all needed as pitchers. The
chances are that Whitney, Shaw and Gilmore will
stick. O'Day may, however, be benefited by the
new rules, and keating may prove phenomenon
One thing Is certain, Shaw Will have to play ball
in earnest. fair pitcher who is willing, is peri
cradle TO wizard who won't make an effort Last
year Shaw had the whip hand, because he could
not be replaced. The regular catchers will doubt
less be Gilfigan, Mack and Deaiey, although Krieg
may be succeeded at first base and transferred be-
hind the bat There will be very interesting
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
Of the inhelders during the month Of April. Leaving
Crane out OF the question on account OF his weak
batting, there will remain six men TO I'LL the four
Donnelly and McGlOne. The best men will be re-
tanned Krieg is fine first baseman, but there
may be better one. O'Brien Is said to be good
first or third baSeman, besides being terrific
hitter. He cost the WaShtngtOnS nothing being
thrown In with the others, but the Indianapolis
people soon realized their mistake, and offered to
trade ShOmberg, their crack first baseman, for
him. Myers home is at second bag, SO is Farrells,
but the former Will play equally as we'll at short.
The former was regarded as little giant at Kan.
sas City, and is thorough ball player. McGlone
last year, but among ball players he is regarded
as in every way the superior Of Sh1ndle the prom
Using short stop or Detroit The Outfielders will be
Carroll Hines and Shock, with Whitney as spare
right fielder. Whitney, by the way, Is expected to
do magnificent work in the box under the new
rules Boston wanted him. as dld P1ttsburg, and
either city would have given 81 600 Tor him. TAX
ing everything into consideration, the outlook Is
bright one, with plenty OF good men, competent
lit and base bali public anxious to reward good
ball playing II no mistakes are made, such as re.
leasing the wrong men, the Statesmen ought to be
able to give the BOStOnS very warm reception
when they open the season here.
COMPOSITION OF LEAGUE CLUBS.
The playing strength OF the different league
clubs Is more nearly equal this year than it has
ever been before. From present appearance it
will be very difficult TO name the winner Of the
pennant, and there Is no reason why any club
should be considered tail-ender from the start.
Even our own Statesmen, who held the latter
ment, be able to win the majority OF games on the
home grounds and make O very creditable show
ing in the championship race.
THE CHICAGOs
will begin the season without the services Of Dali
rympe, Gore and Kelly, but their loss as players
win be more than compensated for financially
The clubs with which those men play this year
will draw better than ever when they come to Chi
cago. The management OF the club expresses it.
| self, however, as thoroughly satisfied with the
| team as at present constituted. New blood has
been infused In 1t, and some OF the youngsters are
expected TO acqut themselves with great credit on
the diamond. The club, while apparently weak.
ened somewhat in the Outfield and I'm
| batting has been strengthened in It.
batteries. Darling, IL Is predicted, will be sec.
ond TO none behind the bat, while Daily, the New
ark catcher, Is known 10 be q fine back stop and
heavy batter. Other new men on the team are
| Baldwin and Pyle pitchers, and Mike Sullivan
| catcher. Under Capt. Ansons careful and judi
eiOus training these men, IL Is thought, win show
| up In flne form. Two OF the outtclds will be
/ looked after by Ryan and sunday. The former IL
truly phenomenal ball tOSser. He is a lightning
| nelder and terror at the bat. Sunday will nave
more opportunities to exhibit his fleetneSs thar
| he did last year. He Is without doubt the fastest
runner In the profession. The playing team viii
| be constituted as follows: Catchers-Flint Oar
ling, I. B. DAILY. Hardie and Sullivan. Pitchers